I love Cajun food. I feel like I belong in New Orleans even though I have never traveled there. A few years ago I was dying to try to recreate some of these delicious dishes but they always sounded overwhelming or had ingredients I could barely pronounce much less find in a store. Then one glorious day I came across a simple recipe for red beans and rice. I have since made changes to it but seriously it is so easy and so delicious. Here is my adaption of red beans and rice.

Red Beans and Rice

• diced chicken breast
• andouille sausage – diced (I use Trader Joe’s chicken andouille sausage. Bonus points for making it healthier!- pic below)
• 1/2 a cup of diced celery
• 1/2 cup of diced onion (I usually use red just because that is what I have on hand)
• 1/2 cup of green bell pepper
• 1 1/2 cans of kidney beans
• 1/4 cup of chicken stock
• white or brown rice steamed on the side

*Note I usually take a cereal bowl and just dice up equal parts celery, onion, and green bell pepper and slowly pour enough of the mixture into the meat so there is an even proportion of meat to veggies

1. Sautee the chicken over medium heat with a little oil
2. Once the chicken is no longer pink, add in the sausage

1. Let the sausage soften then add in the veggies (as I mentioned above I slowly mix in the mixture until there is an even proportion)

1. Once the veggies are soft, add in the beans

1. Stir for about 5 minutes and then add in the chicken stock
2. Stir until the liquid is absorbed
3. Pour over rice and enjoy!!